Transgender Woman Sets Herself On Fire in Tbilisi, Protesting Gov't Negligence

Transgender activist Madona Kiparoidze set herself on fire in front of Tbilisi City Hall, protesting the government’s negligence towards the transgender community amid the coronavirus pandemic. Police officers managed to save her. 

“I am a transgender woman, and I’m setting myself on fire because the Georgian state doesn’t care about me”, Kiparoidze shouted before being detained.

The incident occurred on Thursday, when a group of transgender women gathered in front of Tbilisi City Hall to protest the “lack of access to services and basic needs” during the nationwide state of emergency.

Civil activist Nata Peradze, who was also present at the protest, said: “Civil activists have collected one month's rent for the transgender community, but it’s not enough. All of them have been evicted from their homes and have no living space. Now they have to pay the second month's rent and despite numerous requests, the state has not responded and they are being forced into the streets, ” she said.

Peradze added that another transgender woman attempted suicide three days earlier, and that now the time has come for the government to “recognize them (transgender persons) as Georgian citizens”.

By Elene Dzebisashvili